World football governing body, FIFA, have announced that Indonesia will no longer be the host of the Under-20 World Cup due to protests in the country over Israel’s participation.
The draw was supposed to take place in Bali on Friday but FIFA cancelled the event after Bali governor, Wayan Koster, called for a ban on the Israeli team playing on the island where they were expected to be based during the tournament.
The protests stem from Israel’s decades-long conflict with the Muslim-majority people of Palestine who have been displaced by continuous Israeli occupation. With no sight of the protests coming to an end, FIFA together with the Indonesian Football Association have decided to end the southeast Asian country’s journey in hosting an international football tournament for the very first time.
FIFA also stated a new host will be announced soon with Indonesia facing possible sanctions, while the tournament date still runs from May 20 to June 11.
“Following today’s meeting between FIFA President Gianni Infantino and President of the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) Erick Thohir, FIFA has decided, due to the current circumstances, to remove Indonesia as the host of the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2023,” a statement read on the FIFA website.
“A new host will be announced as soon as possible, with the dates of the tournament currently remaining unchanged. Potential sanctions against the PSSI may also be decided at a later stage.”
FIFA removes Indonesia as host of FIFA U-20 World Cup 2023™
— FIFA Media (@fifamedia) March 29, 2023
Indonesia’s hosting of the U-20 World Cup was part of a cooperation between FIFA and the Indonesian government to improve the safety and image of the game in the country after 135 fans were crushed to death in a Liga 1 game between rivals Arema FC and Persebaya Surabaya in Malang last October.
FIFA has reiterated that it is still keen to work with the Indonesian government on the set objective.
“FIFA would like to underline that despite this decision, it remains committed to actively assisting the PSSI, in close cooperation and with the support of the government of President Widodo, in the transformation process of Indonesian football following the tragedy that occurred in October 2022,” the statement continued
“Members of the FIFA team will continue to be present in Indonesia in the coming months and will provide the required assistance to the PSSI, under the leadership of President Thohir.”
Israel would be making its debut in a FIFA-organised tournament for the first time as a European representative. Ukraine are the current champions but they would not be defending their crown after failing to qualify.
